PARIS (July 29, 2024) – It's another first for Sander Gille and doubles partner Joran Vliegen at Roland-Garros.
 
A year after making an impressive run to the finals of the French Open, Gille and Vliegen earned their first career win at the Olympics on Monday, as the Belgian duo secured a straight set win over the No. 8 seed duo Arthur Fils and Ugo Humbert, 7-5, 6-4.
 
With the win, Gille/Vliegen have little time to celebrate as they now take on the Great Britian team of Andy Murray/Daniel Evans Tuesday on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. The match is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. and can be viewed live on Peacock. Murray/Evans rallied to defeat Japan's Kei Nishikori and Taro Daniel on Sunday to keep Murray's career alive.
 
Facing a crowd of majority French fans on Court 6, Gille/Vliegen rose to the challenge to silence the hometown favorites. Gille/Vliegen won 79 of the 142 total points, while winning 79 percent of their first serve points. The Belgian duo converted on two of their six break-point chances, while Fils/Humbert were never able to break through on their six chances. Gille/Vliegen were plus-one in service aces (4-3) and committed five fewer unforced errors, 10 to 15.
 
Play was tightly contested in the opening set as both teams held serve until Gille/Vliegen broke through late in the match by winning the final three games to take the opener, 7-5. Gille/Vliegen swept the French duo in the last two games to win the first set.
 
In the second, Gille/Vliegen broke serve much earlier as they jumped out to a 4-2 lead and never looked back. The duo won three straight games to go ahead and closed out the match with the 6-4 victory. Gille/Vliegen won 91 percent (10-of-11) of their second serve points in the final set.
 
Gille, the 2010 ASUN Player of the Year, helped guide ETSU to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances from 2009-12. The Buccaneer alum was a three-time first team all-ASUN selection. To go with his Player of the Year honor in 2010, Gille was also named ASUN Tournament MVP. Gille finished his collegiate career with 72 wins in the Blue & Gold.
 
For more the men's doubles bracket, please click here.
 
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